OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The death penalty has again been voted the top Nebraska story of the year by newspaper and broadcast members of The Associated Press and AP staffers.
Nebraska voters reinstated the death penalty on Nov. 8 when they overturned the Legislature’s decision last year to abolish capital punishment. The Legislature’s action topped the AP list for 2015.
Critics of capital punishment say it’s unlikely the state soon will execute any of the 10 men on death row. The state has had difficulty obtaining the drugs necessary, and any procedural changes contemplated likely will face legal challenges.
The death of Nebraska punter Sam Foltz finished second in the voting for 2016 stories. Foltz was killed along with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler in a single-vehicle crash in Wisconsin on July 23. Nebraska opponents memorialized Foltz each game, home and away, and the Cornhuskers’ senior day included his parents and a touching video tribute.
The year’s No. 3 story was Cabela’s announcement in October that it will sell itself to rival outdoor gear seller Bass Pro for $4.5 billion. The deal is expected to close sometime next year, but it’s not yet clear how many jobs will be lost in Cabela’s hometown of Sidney, where the company employs about 2,000 people.
Finishing fourth in the voting was the death of a 2-year-old western Omaha boy who was attacked by an alligator in Florida. The animal snatched little Lane Graves as he waded in shallow water at a Disney resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on June 14.
The No. 5 story this year was Nebraska’s prison problems. Despite new steps toward improvement, Nebraska’s system continued to struggle with overcrowding, staffing shortages and a persistent lack of mental health and treatment services for inmates. Director Scott Frakes announced he will request a $15.6 million budget increase to reduce worker shortages and turnover when lawmakers convene next year.
The No. 6 story was the award of $28.1 million to six people wrongfully convicted in the 1985 rape and killing of a Beatrice woman. The county has since appealed the award as officials scrambled for ways to pay it. Bankruptcy has been mentioned among the possibilities.
Finishing seventh in the voting was the cybersex scandal involving state Sen. Bill Kintner. He’s paid a $1,000 fine levied by the state accountability board but refused to resign after admitting having cybersex on a state computer with a woman who later tried to blackmail him. The married, outspoken lawmaker vowed to stay in office despite pressure from Gov. Pete Ricketts, threats of impeachment and public ridicule by Sen. Ernie Chambers.
The electoral shake-up in the Legislature was the No. 8 story this year. Nearly half a dozen incumbents lost their seats, an outcome that surprised many longtime observers around the Capitol. Five sitting senators who faced challengers were defeated in the Nov. 8 general election, and one appointed state senator lost her seat in the May primary. Gov. Pete Ricketts played a more active role in the races than his predecessors, donating tens of thousands of dollars of his own money to candidates.
The No. 9 story was the Nebraska Tourism Commission’s firing of its executive director. A blistering state audit had found questionable spending and a lack of oversight within the agency. Kathy McKillip had been suspended with pay after auditors reported problems that included the commission running $4.4 million over budget in three years with an advertising firm’s contract.
The budget woes facing the Legislature and the governor finished 10th. Gov. Pete Ricketts ordered agencies to restrict their spending as state revenue fell short of expectations. Ricketts and lawmakers will face a nearly $1 billion projected shortfall for the budget they’re required to balance in next year’s session.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.